Today, 25 years ago, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials officially decertified U.S. 66 as a federal highway. In essence, U.S. 66 ceased to exist. Although few would have thought so at the time, decertification became a good thing for the Mother Road in the long run. It's a counterintuitive thought, but … Continue reading The end … and the beginning
Category: Highways
The Mother Road’s can-do spirit
It's really worth reading this op-ed piece by Beverly Kelley for the Ventura (Calif.) County Star. A sample: Willingness to tackle a job despite impossible odds is the operational definition of the American “can-do” spirit. It’s the same confident courage that a bride donning something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue exhibits, even … Continue reading The Mother Road’s can-do spirit
Interesting nuggets from Route 66 festival
The Joplin Globe's story about the Tri-State Route 66 Festival at Downstream Casino Resort that contained a few pearls of useful information for roadies. Danny Charles and T.J. Davis this fall will open a 1895 building on historic Route 66 in downtown Galena, Kan., as a pizzeria and pub. Volunteers from the festival helped them … Continue reading Interesting nuggets from Route 66 festival
What’s next for closed Route 66 in McCook?
Berkeley (Ill.) Suburban Life published a follow-up story about the $40 million settlement between the Illinois Department of Transportation and Vulcan Materials over the closing of a one-mile stretch of Joliet Road (aka Route 66) in McCook. The state alleged that Vulcan, which operated two nearby quarry pits, dangerously destabilized the road by undermining it. … Continue reading What’s next for closed Route 66 in McCook?
And this would be bad … how?
Frank C. Girardot, editor of the Pasadena Star-News and senior metro editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, wrote this op-ed excerpt today: Historical preservationists are keeping a wary eye on Caltrans' plans for the historic Pasadena Freeway. The freeway, which runs from Glenarm Parkway in Pasadena straight to the Four-Level interchange downtown, looks … Continue reading And this would be bad … how?
Vulcan Materials settles lawsuit with Illinois
Vulcan Materials, which was accused in a lawsuit of damaging a now-closed one-mile stretch of Joliet Road (aka Route 66) in McCook, Ill., settled with the state of Illinois for $40 million, according to a news release today. The company, which supplies asphalt and gravel, said it will pay $20 million to the Illinois Department … Continue reading Vulcan Materials settles lawsuit with Illinois
Trial date set for McCook road closure lawsuit
A lawsuit involving the closing of a one-mile section of Joliet Road, aka Route 66, in the Chicago suburb of McCook, Ill., finally will go to trial next month nine years after it was filed, according to David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior. The Illinois Department of Transportation alleges that Vulcan Materials seriously undermined … Continue reading Trial date set for McCook road closure lawsuit
The story behind Ozark Trail obelisks
The Plainview (Texas) Daily Herald posted a fascinating story about the obelisks that once dotted the length of the Ozark Trail highway system, which parts of which became early alignments of Route 66. According to the Drive The Old Spanish Trail Web site (www.drivetheost.com), various trail associations were formed early in the 20th century to … Continue reading The story behind Ozark Trail obelisks
Notes from the road
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is sponsoring a clean-up day on Saturday, April 17, at the old Ozark Trail section of Route 66 west of Sapulpa. This project is in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful programs. Work will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. The association wants … Continue reading Notes from the road
Let me answer
KTVI-TV in St. Louis proclaims that a few folks are confused by the new "Historic Route 66 Byway" signs posted along Manchester Road in the St. Louis region. A merchant claims that Watson Road is the original Route 66. He named his transmission business because of that. "Watson Road here is the original Route 66," … Continue reading Let me answer